Crash of an Ilyushin II-76TD in Khartoum: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jun 30, 2008 at 0700 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ST-WTB
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Khartoum – Juba
MSN:
10034 99994
YOM:
1990
Flight number:
BBE700
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
15634
Captain / Total hours on type:
4794.00
Circumstances:
The aircraft was cleared for takeoff and began its departure roll with flaps retracted, according to flight data recorder. The aircraft rotated at 280 kph (151 knots) and became airborne at 288 kph (155 knots) at an angle of attack of about 8-9 degrees. Tyre marks on the runway showed, that the aircraft had gone past the end of the runway, the main tyres had impacted runway end lights and the tyre tracks continued past the paved surface of the stopway. Climbing through 15 feet the pilot flying commanded the gear up and increased the pitch angle, the angle of attack increased to more than 10 degrees while the gear doors opened for gear retraction increasing the drag of the aircraft, which began to slow, the speed reduced to 305 kph (164 knots), stall speed for the takeoff weight, and the left wing began to stall, the angle of attack increased to 17 degrees, the aircraft at a height of 5-7 meters/15-23 feet. The pilot flying tried to counteract the roll to the left by fully applying left aileron which also deployed the right wing spoilers, right rudder input was provided. The pilot flying instructed the flight engineer to NOT retract flaps indicative neither pilot was aware the flaps were up. Following that instruction the flight engineer selected the flaps down, the aircraft speed was 300 kph (162 knots) and the aircraft in an unrecoverable stall with no height left. The left hand wing struck a high voltage mast about 1200 meters past the runway end at a height of 5.4 meters (18 feet) shearing off the left wing tip, contacted the flag post at the entrance of the Green Square, the left wing contacted the stem of a tree at a height of about 40 cm (1.3 feet) separating the ailerons and causing fuel spilling from the left wing, the aircraft broke through the eastern brick wall of Green Square, collided with two more electric poles causing engine #4 to separate 1504 meters from the end of the runway and impacted ground at 30 degrees nose down, 30 degrees left bank. Debris was distributed over a length of more than 500 meters, the aircraft burst into flames. All 4 crew perished in the crash, 4 people on the ground received serious, 3 more received minor injuries.
Probable cause:
The following findings were identified:
- From the CVR recording it appeared that no checklist had been used during all phases from engine start up, taxiing and take off,
- Ababeel company does not keep any records or files regarding the crew flying experience. They joined the company about four months before the accident,
- Engine n°1 showed only 96.2% N1 and thus delivered less thrust than the other three engines,
- Engine n°4 showed a 30° higher EGT than the other engines indicating that the engine was not in a satisfactory condition requiring the temperature limiter to be switched off to enable the engine to deliver the thrust needed,
- According to the FCOM the aircraft would need 2,850 meters takeoff distance at 188 tons takeoff weight with flaps at 30° and slats at 14°. As the crew did not use the checklists, either they were used to extend the flaps and slats after the aircraft gained certain speed and their attention was being drawn by monitoring the engine which the navigator asked about or another serious defect or they forgot to extend the flaps due to fatigue caused by alcohol consumption by the flight engineer and short periods of rest for the first officer. The clean aircraft lift off after rolling for a distance of 2,380 meters for take off which was a very short distance for such weight and temperature of 27°. Retracting of landing gear immediately within lift-off increased drag before the aircraft gained positive lift,
- the aircraft never climbed above 7 meters (23 feet) above ground,
- the aircraft had an automatic configuration warning which would activate at 70 +/- 15 kph, if the flaps were not extended. This system however could be switched off, or might have been malfunctioning, it did not activate during the takeoff run.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12BK near Malakal: 7 killed

Date & Time: Jun 27, 2008 at 0705 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ST-ARN
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Khartoum – Juba
MSN:
8 3 460 10
YOM:
1968
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Captain / Total flying hours:
13300
Captain / Total hours on type:
5000.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
11535
Copilot / Total hours on type:
3300
Aircraft flight hours:
14597
Aircraft flight cycles:
6924
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Khartoum at 0555LT on a cargo flight to Juba with 8 crew members on board. While cruising at FL170 in bad weather conditions, the engines n° 1 failed. One minute later, the engine n°3 failed as well, followed 40 seconds later by the failure of the engine n°4. The aircraft initiated a descent with a rate of 3,450 feet per minute and reach the altitude of 800 feet three minutes and 40 seconds after the failure of the engine n°1. At an altitude of 600 feet, the crew stabilized the aircraft and elected to restart the three engines but without success. Too low, the aircraft struck trees, lost its left stabilizer and crashed in a prairie 264 metres past the initial impact, bursting into flames. A crew member was rescued while 7 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control and subsequent ground impact following the failure of engine n°1, 3 and 4.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- The crew entered an area of thunderstorm activity with turbulences and icing conditions,
- Unserviceability or sudden failure of the weather radar,
- Accumulation of ice caused the blockage of the engines air intake assembly,
- Following impact with trees, the aircraft lost parts and the running engine n°2 caused the fire.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12TB in Khartoum: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 8, 2007 at 0807 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ST-JUA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Khartoum - Juba
MSN:
3 3 411 10
YOM:
1963
Flight number:
JUC700
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Aircraft flight hours:
11787
Aircraft flight cycles:
7220
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft departed Khartoum-Haj Yusuf Airport at 0759LT on a cargo flight to Juba, carrying four crew members and a load of 11 tons of various goods. After takeoff, while climbing, the crew reported the failure of the engine n°3 and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. After touchdown, the aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest in the military area of the airport, bursting into flames. All four crew members were injured while two people on the ground were killed. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
Failure of the engine n°3 during initial climb following a bird strike.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12 near Kaduqli: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 5, 2004 at 1237 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ST-SAF
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
El Obeid – Juba
MSN:
00 347 606
YOM:
1970
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
On a cargo flight from El Obeid to Juba, while cruising at an altitude of 17,000 feet, the crew declared an emergency following the failure of all four engine, and elected to divert to Heglig Airport. Shortly later, the aircraft crashed in a wooded area located about 50 km south of Kaduqli. All four occupants were killed.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12BP near Tatal: 7 killed

Date & Time: May 11, 2004 at 1018 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ST-SIG
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Juba - El Obeid
MSN:
14 001 01
YOM:
1961
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Aircraft flight hours:
16609
Aircraft flight cycles:
7753
Circumstances:
En route from Juba to El Obeid, while cruising at an altitude of 24,000 feet, all four engines flamed out. The crew feathered the propeller, reduced his altitude and attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft struck the ground and crashed against trees. One occupant was seriously injured while six others were killed. Few hours later, the only survivor died from his injuries. It was reported that the aircraft was performing several round trips between Juba and El Obeid since May 9, each time with 9018 kgs of fuel uplifted in El Obeid while the average fuel consumption for a round trip was 10000 kgs. The crew was composed of an Armenian captain and ground engineer, a Sudanese first officer, a Sudanese navigator, a Sudanese radio operator, an Iraqi navigator and an Iraqi flight engineer.
Probable cause:
The following findings were identified:
- Fuel starvation due to Company fuel planning policy,
- The exhaustion of the Captain as he was handling all flights during the three days preceding the accident flight in addition to the weather on day of accident,
- Some of the crew members had limited experience on the type and three of them even did not fly on AN-12 for a long time which might aggravate the situation before the crash,
- The Sudanese navigator license was expired since July 2001,
- The Iraqi crew members did not have any valid licenses and their experience on the An-12 dated back from 1994,
- The aircraft's Certificate of Release to Service and Certificate of Maintenance Review both expired on April 30, 2004.

Crash of a Boeing 707-351C in Juba

Date & Time: Aug 14, 1999
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
ST-ANP
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
19632
YOM:
1967
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following a wrong approach configuration, the aircraft was too high on the glide and landed too far down the runway. After touchdown, it was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and came to rest 150 metres further. All five crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The crew completed the landing procedure with a tailwind component of nine knots.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the crew who continued the descent above the glide, causing the aircraft to land too far down the runway and reducing the landing distance available. The crew failed to initiate a go-around procedure.

Crash of an Antonov AN-24TV in Juba: 4 killed

Date & Time: Mar 20, 1997
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
While approaching Juba Airport, the crew reported engine problems and elected to make an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances. All four crew members were killed. SPLA rebels reported they had shot down the Antonov while it was attacking the village of Yei located about 40 miles from Juba.

Crash of a Lockheed C-130H Hercules near Juba

Date & Time: Jul 26, 1992 at 2030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Juba Airport, the crew followed a holding pattern for about 15-20 minutes for unknown reasons. Then the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances few km from the airport. Occupant's fate remains unknown.

Crash of a Lockheed L-382E-22C Hercules in Juba

Date & Time: Aug 12, 1990
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N911SJ
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Juba - Nairobi
MSN:
4384
YOM:
1970
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Juba Airport, while climbing to a height of 300 feet and a speed of 155 knots, the engine n°4 lost power. The crew elected to return for an emergency landing when engine n°1 and 2 oversped. While completing a turn to join the runway 31, the engine n°3 lost power and its propeller was feathered. The crew was able to land the airplane safely but after touchdown, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance, veered off runway and eventually collided with containers, bursting into flames. All five occupants escaped uninjured.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the engine problems could not be determined with certainty. However, the assumption that the fuel was contaminated by water was not ruled out.

Crash of a Douglas DC-2-115B in Kosti: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 29, 1952 at 2105 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
ZS-DFW
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Johannesburg – Bulawayo – Lusaka – Tabora – Juba – Wadi Halfa – Khartoum – Cairo – Southend
MSN:
1322
YOM:
1934
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The aircraft took off on a cargo flight from Rand Airport in Jo'burg to Southend, England, with a crew of four, two passengers and a load of Karakul pelts. The passengers left the aircraft at Bulawayo, deciding not to complete their journey. The aircraft started in company with another of the same operator which also crashed en route. On attempting a diversion landing at Kosti at night without suitable ground aids, the aircraft ran off the runway and collided with a steel support for a windsock and afterwards with trees causing major damage. Two crew were killed and two were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The primary cause of the accident was that extremely bad weather forced the Captain of the airplane to divert from his original destination. No proper preparation had been made for a possible landing at an alternate airfield prior to commencement of flight. The secondary cause was due to the Captain's attempt to execute a landing at Kosti aerodrome which was not equipped with night landing facilities. The Captain landed on the runway but was unable to align himself with the centre line and in consequence ran off the runway and struck a steel windsock support and thereafter struck various obstructions such as trees which lay in the path.
The following factors were considered as contributory:
- Because of radio interference due to a storm, proper use could not be made of the radio navigational facilities carried on the aircraft,
- The lack of appreciation by the Captain of his final responsibility for the operational control of the aircraft, which includes diversionary action, and his apparent failure to appreciate the purely advisory responsibility of Khartoum as a flight information centre.
Final Report: